Time moves on, but here it’s suspended. Nothing changing. Nothing changed in decades. Everything shaded by Ma. Everything hers. Green floral-patterned carpet. Blush three-piece suite. Her free-standing wardrobe still filled with her clothes. Her bedding washed weekly along with Shauna’s, using Ma’s favourite cotton-fresh detergent, beds hospital corner made, Ma’s way of making. She rubs her fingers over her eyes. How did she let time freeze?
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In a nutshell
In the summer of 1991 Dean and Shauna meet as kids, when Shauna and her mom move to town for a fresh start. Instantly they become inseparable. As their friendship blooms and time passes, it develops into something deeper but conflicting responsibilities threaten to pull them apart.
Book Club Notes
This is a very dark and draining novel, but at the same time written so viscerally, it pulls you into Shauna’s world and mind. I found her mindset so down in the dumps that it made me want to speed through it, rather than savor the journey.
I was torn on whether it was a good read and then the ending hit me in the face in a way I didn’t see coming. It really wrapped the story in a neat bow of profoundness.
It tells a cautionary tale of living the life of others, existing as opposed to living and self-inflicting burdens your loved ones never intend for you to carry. It’s a book that makes you want to grab life by the horns and not waste time being weighed down by whatever may stop you from living your best life.
Read If
You enjoy moody novels that make you think.
Rating
Writing – 9/10
Character Development – 7/10
Plot Twist – 10/10
Shareability – 8/10
The Nitty Gritty
Published by: Faber & Faber, Distributed by Jonathon Ball
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Psychological
ISBN: 978-0-571-39091-5
Pages: 243
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A note on our book ratings
Storyline: How good is the storyline? Is it believable and complex or does it make you shake your head in its ridiculousness?
Writing: How well written is the book? Do you find yourself wowed by the writing or unimpressed?
Character Development: Do the characters evolve and grow through the book and are they multi-dimensional?
Plot Twist: Were you able to predict the end, or did the author give you some surprises along the way to keep you on your toes?
Shareability: How likely are you to share the book?
